Fallen Soldier Remembered

DUNCAN, Okla. (AP) An Oklahoma native who died while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan has been buried after a funeral service in Duncan.

The Duncan Banner reports that the service for Staff Sgt. Vinson B. Adkinson III at Ray of Hope Church was private and only open to family and friends. Outside the church, supporters roamed the grounds and others lined nearby roads with red, white and blue signs.

Adkinson's father, Vinson Adkinson Jr., rang a traveling replica of the Liberty Bell in honor of his son.

Adkinson was killed when an improvised explosive device blew up near his unit Aug. 31. He grew up in Stephens County but moved to Kansas, where he graduated from high school. The Army lists his hometown as Harper, Kan.